We teach students the outdoor skills necessary to travel consciously, confidently, and safely through natural landscapes, while nurturing an ethic of care and responsibility toward the Earth. Our program incorporates Leave No Trace principles and adheres to the highest standards of safety and risk management, led by trained instructors who bring expertise in wilderness travel and youth development.
Outdoor education at SMWS progresses across the grades, beginning with playful immersion in the early years and culminating in rigorous backcountry expeditions in high school. Each stage builds on the last—layering skills, strengthening group dynamics, and deepening each student’s relationship with the natural world.
Early Childhood and Kindergarten: Our youngest students spend significant time outdoors each day, in all seasons and weather. They learn through rhythm, repetition, and imaginative play—developing their senses and bodies as they engage with the world around them. Rhythmic walks, nature exploration, and creative play with natural materials help students develop physical resilience, environmental awareness, and a sense of belonging in the landscape. These foundational experiences foster early environmental stewardship and curiosity. Classes go for regular walks on our beautiful campus in north Boulder and visit nearby natural destinations such as Wonderland Lake
Class trips in Grades 1–5
As students grow, so does their relationship with the natural world. Classes begin venturing off campus for field trips to explore natural areas more intentionally. These excursions deepen their observational skills, build group cohesion, and introduce basic fieldcraft. Starting around Grade 3, class teachers organize overnight trips in May that align with the themes of the Waldorf curriculum. These trips often include camping, hiking, team-building activities, and nature-based challenges. They begin to overlap with the goals of the Middle School Outdoor Education program, introducing basic camping techniques, group cooperation, and responsibility in an outdoor setting.
Grades 6, 7, and 8
The Middle School Outdoor Education Program integrates age-appropriate outdoor skills with curricular studies in geography, geology, history, and the natural sciences. Each grade takes part in autumn overnight expeditions and winter day trips, which emphasize Leave No Trace ethics, teamwork, self-reliance, and challenge.
Autumn Overnight Trips
Winter Day Trips
Grades 9-12
In high school, students take on more responsibility for trip planning, risk assessment, and group leadership. Outdoor Education becomes a catalyst for personal transformation, leadership, and academic enrichment. High school students take advantage of the nearby Rocky Mountains, as well as natural attractions in Utah and New Mexico. Our high school program includes backpacking expeditions, river journeys, rock climbing, solo experiences, and group camping.
All trips are guided by experienced faculty and outdoor professionals. Our program aligns with best practices in the field of outdoor education, risk management, and student-led activities, ensuring that each experience is both adventurous and safe.
Through each stage of Outdoor Education at SMWS, our students don’t just learn how to be in nature—they learn how to belong in nature, to appreciate it, and to protect it.
Discover Waldorf Education
Shining Mountain Waldorf School is committed to offering a comprehensive education that caters to the physical, emotional, and intellectual growth of our students. Our multi-disciplinary approach integrates science, art, mathematics, music, and outdoor education for a broad-based experience. If you are seeking a school that fosters authenticity, analytical and creative thinking, and a sense of community, take the first step and learn more about our school.
Job Title: Facilities & Grounds Assistant
Program: Administration
Reports to: Facilities & Grounds Director
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Date: January 2026
Shining Mountain Waldorf School (“SMWS”) is a PreK-12th grade campus consisting of 8 acres and 15 buildings located at the foothills of North Boulder, Colorado. In conjunction with the Facilities Director, the Facilities and Grounds Assistant provides year-round maintenance, seasonal upkeep, and improvement of school buildings and grounds to support our nature and outdoor school curriculum. Maintenance, safety, and improvement projects are essential to welcome visitors and the SMWS community to the natural beauty of the SMWS campus.
Required skills to address issues relating to campus maintenance: plumbing, electrical, carpentry, painting, HVAC, care of the grounds, etc.
Daily tour of campus and playground for hazards, trash, safety, and wildlife concerns
Daily response to requests for repairs and campus assistance
Daily late afternoon safety checks for campus and building safety
Weekly service and safety inspection of school buses (fuel, oil, tires, etc.)
Weekly cleaning and organizing of facilities and grounds workshop
Weekly safety inspections of playground equipment
Preparation for school events and meetings, including setup and breakdown of tables and chairs
Seasonal work, inspecting and maintaining classrooms, air conditioners, swamp coolers, furnaces, water heaters, thermostats, etc.
Supplement early morning seasonal and evening snow removal and ice management throughout campus in preparation for the student and parent arrival and departure of the school day
Delivery and moving of items throughout campus classrooms and buildings
Outdoor work, walking, repairing, and attention to our 8-acre campus
School events set up and break down – festivals, concerts, and plays
Driving ability to include driving school truck with trailer
Working knowledge of automotive care and maintenance
Working with faculty and assisting in moving and preparing classrooms
Familiarity with landscaping and irrigation, plumbing, electrical, carpentry, painting, HVAC, and general maintenance items
Friendly and approachable temperament working with faculty, staff, students, and community
Previous construction, trade, and technical skills
Self-starter in recognizing and completing necessary campus needs and maintenance
Skill and ability to operate power tools in accordance with proper safety guidelines
Basic computer skills
Driver’s license required with excellent driving record
Available to work a flexible schedule at times when work is needed outside of normal working hours – early mornings and weekends (early/late snow removal, event set up and break down, facilities emergencies, etc.)
Status: Full time – 40 hour a week non-exempt position
Type: This is an hourly, year-round position
Hours: 8:30 am to 4:30 pm (may require some early morning and evening hours)
Environment: Work setting varies based on assignment – indoor and outdoor work on campus and buildings
Pay: Hourly wage of $25.00 per hour – overtime paid (time and ½) when over 40 hours are worked per week
Time Off: Personal Time Off (monthly accruals of 2 weeks and 3 weeks after 1+ years)
Sick Leave: Colorado Paid Sick Leave (1 hour earned each 30 hours worked up to 48 hours each calendar year)
Holidays: Up to 15 Paid National Holidays per calendar year, including a paid week during the December holidays
Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term disability, 401(k) with match (determined annually), flexible spending account, and other ancillary benefits
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the Essential Duties and Responsibilities of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to perform:
General construction work-related requirements, including but not limited to: lifting, bending, standing, kneeling, carrying items, working on a ladder, etc.
Ability to lift at least 60 pounds
Work in tight spaces – work may be in small spaces within buildings, crawl spaces, and frame restrictions
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Shining Mountain Waldorf School is fully committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting, retaining, developing, and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to their race, religion, gender, gender identity, disability, familial status, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited by state or local law. We are dedicated to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment, where employees are treated with respect and dignity.
Job Title: Substitute Teacher
Program: Grades 1 through Grade 12
Reports to: Campus Operations Director
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Date: October 2024
Shining Mountain Waldorf School, a PreK to High School, is seeking Substitute Teachers. In order to create an encouraging learning environment for students while their regular Teacher is absent, our Substitute Teachers will need to effectively manage and instruct the class. We are looking for individuals who have teaching experience, love the classroom environment, and are available (sometimes on very short notice) to work during the week. Knowledge of Waldorf education is a plus.
Teaching and supervision of students in the event that their regular teacher is unable to lead class.
Manage classroom behavior and follow lesson plans provided by the regular Teacher to create a cohesive and consistent learning experience for students.
Manage the classroom effectively to encourage student participation, minimize distractions and maintain a positive learning environment.
Adapt teaching methods to fit the needs of each individual student.
Supervise students in and out of the classroom, including in class transitions, and on the playground.
Classroom and playground environment
Pay: $25 per hour with a 2-hour daily minimum
Timesheets are required to be completed
Substitute Teaching hours vary and are contingent on SMWS Faculty absences from the classroom and class needs
Calls to Substitute Teach may be made on very short notice – evening and morning hours
Substitute hours are based on SMWS need for classroom coverage
Bachelor’s Degree
Teaching experience and classroom experience required
Comfortable with students and academic focus
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the Essential Duties and Responsibilities of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be able to perform:
Sitting and standing for class presentations
Lift 25 pounds, bending, stretching
Mobility to move about the classroom, walking around our 12 -acre campus, and playground
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Shining Mountain Waldorf School is fully committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and to attracting, retaining, developing and promoting the most qualified employees without regard to their race, religion, gender, gender identity, disability, familial status, sexual orientation or national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, veteran status, or any other characteristic prohibited by state or local law. We are dedicated to providing a work environment free from discrimination and harassment, where employees are treated with respect and dignity.
Admissions Director
Kim brings more than 12 years of dedicated experience in Advancement and Admissions within Waldorf Education. Kim’s journey with Waldorf Education began in 2013 at the Austin Waldorf School, where she discovered a deep passion for Waldorf pedagogy and Anthroposophy. After relocating to Colorado in 2014, Shining Mountain Waldorf School quickly became a second home for her family. That same year, Kim stepped into the role of Lower School Receptionist, marking the start of nearly a decade of service and leadership at SMWS.
With over 15 years of experience in non-profit fundraising and event management, Kim was a natural fit for the position of Development Director at Shining Mountain, a role she held from 2017 to 2020. She then transitioned into Admissions, serving as Admission Director from 2020 until her family’s return to Austin in 2023. Kim continued work in Waldorf Education by serving as Admission Director at the Austin Waldorf School for the following three years.
Kim studied Biochemistry at Texas State University and has completed her Foundation Studies in Anthroposophy.
Outside of her professional life, Kim and her husband, Julian, are parents to their three children, Sydney, Suri, and Julian. Together, they enjoy hiking, fishing, camping, skiing, and cooking as a family.
